mike nelson

One of my very favorite UK artists, Mike Nelson, is about to have his first US show.

He is up for the Turner Prize this year,

and I will be right stomping mad if

he doesn't get it.
Artists like this do not come along every day.

Mike Nelson's work does not photograph particularly well, as he specializes in creating uncanny spaces that one journeys through. This usually combines the familiar with the unsettling, and often creates the sensation that you've done something wrong. His art is wry, complex and funny, and defies description.

The first time I went through one of his works, at Matt's gallery in London, it was like entering a labyrinthine terrorist hiding place cached behind the facade of a taxi service. It was unnerving and absolutely exquisitely detailed. I was enthralled.

Later he showed

"Triple Bluff Canyon"

at Modern Art Oxford,

a portion of which

is shown at left here.

His installation in New York will be on the lower east side, in an abandoned building, and has been organized by the very fabulous

"Creative Time", who sponsor all sorts of marvelous temporary art works throughout the boroughs.

Some of my best art experiences in the city have been due to them.

The website for the exhibit , and more about Mike Nelson and Creative Time can be found here: http://www.creativetime.org/programs/archive/2007/nelson/

Don't miss out!

Some things have to be seen to be believed....

On other shores:

of equal scale, but entirely different character, is the work of London artist Abigail Reynolds.

her tumultuous and tactile installations mesh wonderfully with the heady cerebral concepts that are the launching points for her work.

She has been resident artist in quite a few places, including the Oxford English Dictionary , and most recently at Durleston, working with scientists on the study of the Jurassic coast. here is how they describe it:

"A MAJOR NEW COMMISSION MAPPING SHIFTS IN THE FRAGILE ENVIRONMENT THROUGHOUT THE JURASSIC ERA, AS EXPERIENCED IN THE LANDSCAPE OF THE JURASSIC COAST WORLD HERITAGE SITE. "

her installation Shapeshift is only up for a little bit longer and can be found here: http://www.durlston.co.uk/

ABIGAIL REYNOLDS
SHAPESHIFT:
LANDSCAPE IN MOTION

OPEN DAILY 1PM–4PM
DURLSTON CASTLE /
DURLSTON COUNTRY PARK /
LIGHTHOUSE ROAD / SWANAGE /
DORSET BH19 2JL

and, in case you miss it, or to find out more about Abigail's intriguing and heady work, go to:

http://www.abigailreynolds.com/, and click on the projects link.